PhD Student

Job description

About Ghent University

Ghent University is a world of its own. Employing more than 15.000 people, it is actively involved in education and research, management and administration, as well as technical and social service provision on a daily basis. It is one of the largest, most exciting employers in the area and offers great career opportunities.
With its 11 faculties and more than 85 departments offering state-of-the-art study programs grounded in research in a wide range of academic fields, Ghent University is a logical choice for its staff and students.

For the Department of Electromechanical, Systems and Metal Engineering we are looking for a m/f/x
Doctoral fellow

Context – The performance of industrial gearboxes often varies due to subtle manufacturing differences, lubricant property changes, assembly inconsistencies, and fluctuating operating conditions. These variations, even in gearboxes of the highest quality, can affect durability and NVH (Noise, Vibration, and Harshness) performance unless carefully mitigated. Traditional gear design approaches, governed by standards such as DIN 3990, ISO 6336, or AGMA 2001, fall short in addressing the impact of within-tolerance surface roughness, geometric deviations, and changes in lubricant properties. As a result, these factors significantly influence contact dynamics and overall gearbox performance.
To address these challenges, Ghent University, in collaboration with Flanders-Make and KULeuven, launched the research project Rolux. This project aims to develop innovative methodologies and simulation tools for designing robust, high-performance lubricated gearboxes. A central focus of the project is creating a precise yet computationally efficient Thermo-Elastohydrodynamic Lubrication (TEHL) solver for rough gear contacts using advanced modeling techniques.
Positions & Tasks - As a PhD candidate, you will lead the development of a highly reliable and computationally efficient code to simulate 2D/3D Thermo-Elastohydrodynamic Lubrication (TEHL) in lubricated contacts, particularly in gear meshes. Your work will involve implementing advanced discretization schemes and numerical algorithms to solve the complex, multi-physics problems of elastic deformation, fluid flow, and heat transport, all within a reduced-order modeling framework. The dual-use solver you create will function both as a standalone tool and as a plug-in for other software, maximizing computational efficiency through Parallel C/C++ implementation and leveraging existing scientific computing libraries (e.g., PetSC) and potential GPU acceleration.

Job profile

• Educational Background: You hold a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related field.
• Technical Expertise:
o You have a strong background in Solid and/or Fluid Mechanics, and are passionate about High-Performance Scientific Computing.
o Moreover, You are familiar with discretization techniques, including finite difference methods (FDM) and finite element methods (FEM).
o Knowledge of Meshless methods is a plus.
o Knowledge of Tribology and Lubrication is considered an asset.
• Programming Skills: Proficiency in C/C++ and Python programming is essential.
• Analytical Skills: You are adept at problem-solving, capable of independent work, and possess a creative approach to research challenges.
• Collaborative Spirit: You have an open, communicative personality, eager to contribute to team efforts and participate in didactic projects.
• Language Proficiency: Excellent communication skills in English, both spoken and written, are required. Knowledge of Dutch is a plus.
• Availability: You can start this position within the next 6 months.

What we can offer you

• We offer a full-time position as a doctoral fellow, consisting of an initial period of 12 months, which - after a positive evaluation, will be extended to a total maximum of 48 months.
• Your contract will start on 01/11/2024 at the earliest.
• The fellowship amount is 100% of the net salary of an AAP member in equal family circumstances. The individual fellowship amount is determined by the Department of Personnel and Organization based on family status and seniority. A grant that meets the conditions and criteria of the regulations for doctoral fellowships is considered free of personal income tax. Click here for more information about our salary scales
• All Ghent University staff members enjoy several benefits, such as a wide range of training and education opportunities, 36 days of holiday leave (on an annual basis for a full-time job) supplemented by annual fixed bridge days, bicycle allowance and eco vouchers. Click here for a complete overview of all the staff benefits.

How to apply

To apply, please complete the application form https://forms.gle/K4SKFELEpEeWSZ9J6 before December 20th, 2024. Only applications with all required fields correctly filled will be considered.